Novelty and amusement device



April 1960 A. M. ZALKIND NOVELTY AND AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Feb. 18. 1957 INVENTOR.

United States Patent.

NOVELTY AND AMUSEMENT DEVICE Albert M. Zalkind, Arlington, Va.

Application February 18, 1957, Serial No. 640,946 2 Claims. 01. 46-118) This invention relates to the amusement field and more particularly to a novelty device for simulating human action by means of a mechanical device.

It is an object of the invention to provide a mechanical device for simulating sustained applause by the motivation of a pair of sculptured hands.

It is another object of the device to provide a simple and compact construction which can be easily and economically manufactured.

It is a further object of the device to provide a device which will be rugged in operation and exceedingly simple to operate.

Briefly, my invention contemplates a pair of plastic molded hands, preferably somewhat smaller than adult hands, which are mounted in conjunction with an escapement type of clockwork mechanism in such a way that one or both hands are motivated by means of the mechanism so as to repeatedly and rapidly strike each other to simulate a sustained burst of applause.

A device as thus generally constructed has enormous amusement value as a subtle hint to the effect that a person may be talking too much at a party or other gathering. In other words, the device, by effecting mock applause, affords general amusement. A large field of use for the device is sincere in effect, however, in that it can serve as a gift when it is desired to congratulate someone for a job well done, or as a graduation gift, etc.

A detailed description of my invention will now be given in conjunction with the appended drawing in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of one form of the device;

Fig. 2 is an underside view of the device omitting the supporting pedestal shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation partially in section;

Fig. 4 is an elevation in section along the lines 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective of another form of the inven 7 tion; and

Fig. 6 is an elevation in section of a fragment of the form shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to Figs. 1 through 4, my invention comprises a pair of hands molded of thin plastic in the form of shells wherein the upper hand 10 simulates the back of a hand and the lower hand 14 simulates the palm of a hand. Both of the hands are essentially hollow, shell-like structures, the hand 10 being open at its underside while the hand 14 likewise is opened at its underside and being formed in the palm with a cavity 20 to accommodate an escapement type of clockwork mechanism 24. The clockwork motor mechanism is essentially that shown in Goldfarb Patent #2,504,679, and the details thereof need not be described herein since they are described in that patent.

The motor as seen in Figs. 3 and 4 has a casing 28 comprising sides 30 which are fastened to the bottom 34 of the cavity 20 formed in hand 14 in any suitable manner as by protruding bendable lugs 38 passing ice 2 through slots 40 and being clinched on the underside of wall 34 which closes the box-like cavity 20.

Thus, the motor is securely mounted in the hand 14.

An oscillatory bracket 44 is actuated by the mechanism and the upper hand 10 is provided with a strut 48 for purposes of securement to oscillatory bracket 44. Thus, it will be apparent that oscillation of the bracket in the to and fro direction as designated by the double-headed arrows shown in Fig. 3 will effect oscillation of hand 10, the arrangement being such that the bounding edge 52. which represents the undersurface 'of hand 10 strikes the underlying surface of the hand 14 primarily across the fingers as indicated in Fig. l to effect simulated or mock applause. 1

A key 56, which may be a permanentpart of the square winding shaft 60 of the motor is utilized for winding the motor. However, the key may also be separable so that the device may rest on the wall 34 when in operation after being wound, the key being then, of course, removed. However, a pedestal 62. of a hollow plastic, molded shell-like configuration may be provided having a central slot-like cavity 66 for accommodating the head of the key which is slidably receivable in the slot and supported therein as shown in Fig. 4. Thus, the key, standing upright, supports the device as shown in Fig. 3. An interesting effect is thus achieved inasmuch as the wind-up shaft 60 rotates in a direction opposite to that in which it was wound when the device is operating. Accordingly, by supporting the device via the shaft 60 and key 56 the entire device rotates in a horizontal plane while effecting applause. This action gives a double motion to thedevice and when set on a table around which are assembled a group of people, produces the unique effect of applauding one and all.

Alternatively, the key may be integral with the pedestal, and also with the winding shaft. Thus, the pedestal can be manually rotated to serve as a key, or the action may be reversed in that the pedestal can be held stationary with one hand while the hands are rotated to wind up the motor. Where an integral and permanent combination is effected it would, of course, not be necessary to have a key; the winding shaft could simply be fastened integrally to the pedestal in any suitable manner well within the knowledge of persons skilled in the art. For example, the shaft could simply be extended to be wedged by force fit into a socket in the pedestal, the socket being square in cross-section to match the winding shaft shape.

Further, the device may be placed (wound up) inside of a container 68 (Fig. 4) or package, the lid or wrapper engaging the upper hand and preventing motion, motion occurring upon removal of the lid or wrapping.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the arrangement is such that the hands are in a raised position and are full hands in that the backs of the hands and the palms, etc. are all present. Preferably, in order to achieve maximum noise elfect, they are molded so as to be hollow. The hand 70 is supported on the oscillatory bracket 74 of the motor mechanism 76. The motor is secured internally of a cutf-like element which may be molded integrally with another cuff-like element 84 so that the configuration is actually a pair of intersecting cone sections as shown in Fig. 5. A wall 88 is molded integrally within the cuff-like element 84 to secure a spring 92 at the upper end of which is fastened a hand 96 having a configuration of finger and 'palm generally complemental to the finger and palm arrange ment of hand 70, so that when the hands strike each other a realistic visual effect is produced as well as a sound effect.

Mounting hand 96 on spring 92 gives that hand a live action in the sense that when it is struck by the a 3 hand 70 it moves rearwardly, bending spring 92, an then springs forward toward hand 70 'as the spring straightens out. Thus, with the hands in general proximity to each other as shown in Fig. 6, as hand 70 is oscillated, repeatedly striking hand 96, hand 96 bounces back and forth under the'blows and gives the realistic impression of being separately actuated which, in fact, a

it is, by virtue of the spring 92. This arrangement produces a surprising close imitation of the actual motion of a pair of human hands when applauding.

Having. thus described my invention I am aware that many changes may be made within the skill of workers in the art, and accordingly I do not seek to be limited to the precise illustrations herein given except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an amusement device,a pair of simulated hands arranged in an applauding position relative to each other, means mounting said hands for relative motion so as to strike each other, and motor means connected to 20 actuate one of said hands for effecting said relative mo tion so as to produce a visual and audible applause effect, the other of said hands being resiliently mounted so as to elfect an oscillator motion under impetus of being stnlck by said first-mentioned hand.

2. In an amusement device, a pair of simulated hands arranged in an applauding position relative to each other, means mounting said hands for relative motion so as to strike each other, and motormeans connected to actuate one of said hands for efie'cting said relative motion so as to produce a visualand audible applause effect, said motor means being an escapement clockwork of the type having a spring and a wind-up shaft which shaft rotates as the spring 'uncoils,1said hands and motor being supported by said shaft, and stationary means supporting said shaft, whereby said hands rotate bodily in unison while effecting an applauding motion.

Goldfarb Apr. 18, 1950' 

